Tuesday evenings you’ll find me at Lighthouse Mission serving dinner.  That time is some of the best time of my week.  I love the growing relationships, getting to know the men and women who call the Mission their home, learning their stories and their strengths.  I feel an excitement and an anticipation for the potential in their lives. And that’s only an inkling of the passion God has for them, the hope he has for their futures.

Several weeks ago we met Brittany and realized that she was pregnant, likely to deliver her baby with her first home as a homeless shelter.  I tossed out the idea of hosting a baby shower, and several friends leapt at the chance.  Tonight we had a great time with Brittany, as well as several other women in the mission, eating cake, playing silly baby shower games, passing around presents, and making connections.  Some of us live in nice homes, some of us in a shelter, but women can always connect over babies.  There was much laughter, as well as the traditional “oohhing” and “aahhing” at the sweet little outfits.  It was so good to be a part of helping her with some basic needs and watching a smile light up her face.

I don’t know exactly what God will do next with us and with the women we spent time with this evening, but I can see great things on the horizon.  I know there were rumblings all around us tonight about the shower, with word getting around the building.  People said “thank you”, and my response is “it’s a pleasure”, because it truly is.  It’s a pleasure to bring glory to God and love people enough to share their burdens, even when the journey includes something as unassuming as a baby shower.

(The gorgeous blanket in the picture is courtesy of a women’s group that is learning to knit together.  The blanket is lovely, but it’s also lovely to see a bunch of women coming together around something they love in order to serve someone else.  One of the ladies said “That’s my square”, and Brittany’s baby will be covered quite literally with the prayers and efforts of many women.)